FIHCA

Rome – May 2010 
 
 
 

ROME: THE ETERNAL CITY

Cradle of Western Civilization, gossamer layers of centuries, revealing over 2500 years of rich history in ancient ruins, Christian mysticism, Renaissance and Baroque palaces.

Rome, city of the Popes, with her ochre color walls, winding Medieval streets, magical fountains and clear blue skies. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, St.Peters’ Basilica and other majestic monuments will overwhelm your senses, while strolling on the cobble stones aged by the passing of time.

Rome, sophisticated restaurants, convivial trattorias, friendly cafès, enticing boutiques to tempt you, and big events to enjoy, all around the year.

Rome captures the imagination and the soul of each visitor, again and again, with her beauty, her cultural heritage, and her great joy of life!

 

Day 1 / Thursday 

Arrivals throughout the day.

Check-in at the 4**** hotel in central Rome. 

18h00 Departure by coach to the historical centre.

Rome Walking City Tour & Dinner

Walk through the little inner streets visiting monuments of immeasurable beauty and importance.

We begin by the Trevi Fountain, famous for its legend that if three coins are thrown into the water, a return to Rome is certain. One of the most beautiful fountains in all of Rome, the Trevi Fountain was made in the Baroque style by Nicola Salvi in 1762.

We then proceed to the Spanish Steps, with its hour glass-shaped square representing one of the most

popular spots in the city. Built in 1726 by Francesco De Sanctis, we will climb the stairs to admire an

Egyptian obelisk called “Obelisco Sallustiano,” as well as the church Trinità dei Monti with a 16th Century

façade by Carlo Moderno. 

Dinner at a local traditional Italian restaurant in the historical ditrict 

Day 2 / Friday 

Business meeting in the morning followed by buffet lunch at the hotel. 

Afternoon visit : Visit to the Imperial Rome

What a better way to start your discovery of the Eternal City than by visiting the largest amphitheatre in the world: The Colosseum. This visit provides the opportunity to enter the Colosseum and to see where heroic gladiators and fierce animals challenged each other until death, thousands of years ago, purely for the pleasure of the Emperor and the public. After the Colosseum, we move on to the Forum, which used to represent the heart and center of Ancient Rome. We walk by the Senate House, where the destiny of the Western World was decided, and see the very spot where Marc’Antonio delivered his famous “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” oration on the assassination of Julius Cesar. The tour then continues to the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the Emperor’s victory over Jerusalem in 72AD; followed by the Arch of Constantine, commemorating the conversion of Pagan Rome to Christianity. Then, in order to appropriately close this fascinating journey back in time,

we head to Piazza Venezia, where we find ourselves jolted back into modern Rome. The enormous white marble monument to King Victor Emmanuel II built at the turn of the century looms across the Piazza.  

Dinner at leisure at the many restaurants in central Rome

 

Day 3 /  Saturday 

Morning visit to the Vatican and St Peter Basilica

Vatican Visit

No other visit can match the experience of a private visit to the world renowned Sistine Chapel! By special arrangement with Vatican authorities, the chapel is reserved in the evening, after closing hours to the public, as your very own private space of contemplation, observation, and an expertly guided explanation. You will visit the Candelabra Gallery, the Tapestry Gallery and the Geographical Map Gallery during which you will have rare glimpses of the Pope’s exquisite gardens. Your visit will be highlighted by the masterpieces of Michelangelo, who spent four gruelling years, between 1508 and 1512, painting the Chapel ceiling with frescoes depicting scenes from the Old Testament, including an incredible portrayal of a scene from the Creation.

St. Peter’s Basilica

This tour will take us to St. Peter’s Basilica, the mother of all churches, providing us with the opportunity to see, touch and feel one of the most astonishing structures in the entire world. St. Peter’s was built in the same location where the martyred apostle Peter was buried in 67 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine, after his conversion to Christianity.

Upon entering St. Peter’s, one is immediately overcome with a harmonious feeling, in spite of the gigantic dimensions of the structure. The imposing sight of St. Peter's Square and Basilica are as overwhelming as the treasures found within and guests have the rare opportunity to admire its extensive collection of art, such as the breathtaking "Pietà" completed by Michelangelo when he was only twenty two years old.

The amazement continues as guests proceed down to the tombs of the popes. The winding underground passageways lead past tombs of the great Popes, and the relics and sarcophagi that remain from the ancient basilica, representing one of the most fascinating and mysterious areas of the Vatican. 

Lunch at leisure 

Afternoon at leisure for shopping opportunities or for visit to museums 

Evening visit and dinner at the historical medieval town of Tivoli (near Rome)

Just a short drive through the Roman countryside, and we reach Tivoli, a medieval hilltop town east of Rome. Tivoli has been a famous resort for Romans for over 2000 years, and in the past was frequented by emperors, art patrons, painters and musicians.

Of course no visit to Tivoli would be complete without having some free time to browse around the charming town streets and market stalls before dinner served in a traditional restaurant in this historicaltown and bfote driving back to Rome after dinner.

 

Day 4 / Sunday 

Morning at leisure for rest or stroll.

Possibility to go to St Peter Basilica ? 

Lunch at leisure. 

Afternoon vsit to the Borghese Gallery

After thirteen years of arduous restoration, one of the world’s most beautiful art galleries, Galleria Borghese, has recently been reopened to the public. This magnificent temple of art was created by the wealthy Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 1600’s to house his renowned private collection, which included masterpieces by names such as Raffaello, Tiziano, Bernini and Caravaggio. The Cardinal created a home for himself and his art collection in the midst of Villa Borghese, Rome’s most beautiful two hundred acre park, with the intention of combining art and nature in an incomparable setting. The building later became the home of Napoleon’s sister, Pauline, when she married a member of the Borghese family and famous sculptor Antonio Canova immortalized Pauline in an extraordinary marble sculpture of her as Venus, as is displayed in the Galleria. In the year 1901, the Borghese family gave the art collection to the city of Rome as a gift and it was then that the “queen of private collections in the world,” was turned into this incredible museum open to the public. 
 

Gala dinner at a private Villa (in the outskirts of Rome)

A super villa would be hired for the Gala dinner.

Musical entertainment throughout the evening. 
 
 

Day 5 / Monday 

Departures throughout the day. 

Possibility of extension programmes (Florence, Naples / Pompéi, etc…) ?